Ex-Meijer attorney disputes he lied under oath

TRAVERSE CITY (AP) -- A Grand Rapids lawyer is disputing allegations made by a legal watchdog agency that he lied under oath about Meijer's role in a 2007 recall election of township officials in Grand Traverse County.

In a complaint filed last month, the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission said Timothy Stoepker wasn't truthful when asked during a deposition about his knowledge of Meijer's political activities in Acme Township, where the retailer is pursuing a store.

The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports Stoepker's attorneys in a court filing say the complaint is based on "vague references" and a campaign finance law that's since been found unconstitutional.

Stoepker represented Grand Rapids-based Meijer Inc. during a dispute over the proposed Acme store. Voters rejected it in 2005, and township officials were targeted for recall two years later.